Thread
THREAD: 10 of the most important concepts in Military Strategy & War:
Seeing the Front
One of the most valuable military tactics
Involves “personally seeing the front line” before making decisions—not always relying on advisors, maps, and reports, all of which can be either faulty or biased
Seeing the Front improves the quality of insights
One of the most valuable military tactics
Involves “personally seeing the front line” before making decisions—not always relying on advisors, maps, and reports, all of which can be either faulty or biased
Seeing the Front improves the quality of insights
Asymmetric Warfare
A type of warfare in which two parties have different military capabilities or methods of war
In such a case, the weak party must take advantage of its special advantages or the opponent’s weaknesses in order to have any opportunity to achieve its goals
A type of warfare in which two parties have different military capabilities or methods of war
In such a case, the weak party must take advantage of its special advantages or the opponent’s weaknesses in order to have any opportunity to achieve its goals
Two-Front War
Occurs when opposing forces approach two geographically separate fronts in order to divide and disperse the defenders troops, and create logistical difficulties
WW2 was a good example: Germany was forced to defend two front's when they became enemies with Russia
Occurs when opposing forces approach two geographically separate fronts in order to divide and disperse the defenders troops, and create logistical difficulties
WW2 was a good example: Germany was forced to defend two front's when they became enemies with Russia
Counterinsurgency
Various tactics and strategies used to combat armed insurgency (violent, armed war against authority waged by small forces)
It's the blend of comprehensive civilian and military efforts designed to simultaneously contain insurgency and address its root causes
Various tactics and strategies used to combat armed insurgency (violent, armed war against authority waged by small forces)
It's the blend of comprehensive civilian and military efforts designed to simultaneously contain insurgency and address its root causes
Mutually Assured Destruction
A situation where two parties are in a stalemate, and neither can make a move without causing their own destruction
Paradoxically, the stronger two opponents become, the less likely they may be to destroy one another
A situation where two parties are in a stalemate, and neither can make a move without causing their own destruction
Paradoxically, the stronger two opponents become, the less likely they may be to destroy one another
Proxy War
An armed conflict between two states or non-state actors which act on the instigation or on behalf of other parties that are not directly involved in the hostilities
Example: Cuban Missile Crisis
An armed conflict between two states or non-state actors which act on the instigation or on behalf of other parties that are not directly involved in the hostilities
Example: Cuban Missile Crisis
Guerilla Warfare
A form of warfare where small groups of soldiers, such as paramilitary or armed civilians use military tactics including ambushes, sabotage, raids, petty warfare, hit-and-run tactics, and mobility, to fight a larger and less-mobile traditional military
A form of warfare where small groups of soldiers, such as paramilitary or armed civilians use military tactics including ambushes, sabotage, raids, petty warfare, hit-and-run tactics, and mobility, to fight a larger and less-mobile traditional military
Flypaper Theory
Involves deliberately attracting enemies to a location where they are more vulnerable, like attracting flies to flypaper, usually also directing them far away from your valuable assets
For example, U.S. ground forces in Iraq preventing attacks on U.S. soil
Involves deliberately attracting enemies to a location where they are more vulnerable, like attracting flies to flypaper, usually also directing them far away from your valuable assets
For example, U.S. ground forces in Iraq preventing attacks on U.S. soil
Fighting the Last War
Armies by default use strategies, tactics, and technology that worked for them in the past (last war)
The problem is that what was most useful for the last war may not be best for the next one. This can mean smaller forces prevail with better tactics
Armies by default use strategies, tactics, and technology that worked for them in the past (last war)
The problem is that what was most useful for the last war may not be best for the next one. This can mean smaller forces prevail with better tactics
Rumsfeld's Rule
You go to war with the army you have. They’re not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time
Organizations hardly ever have perfect resources, but they can't always afford to wait until they have better ones before moving forward
You go to war with the army you have. They’re not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time
Organizations hardly ever have perfect resources, but they can't always afford to wait until they have better ones before moving forward
That's a wrap!
If you enjoyed this thread:
1. Follow me @_alexbrogan for more of these
2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your audience
If you enjoyed this thread:
1. Follow me @_alexbrogan for more of these
2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your audience
